UNUSUAL DAY IN KAMENKA VILLAGE
A delegation from Komi including Silver Taiga representatives took part in the Mezen Day Festival 2019. This year the festival was held in Kamenka village (Mezen district of Arkhangelsk region) with the financial support of Silver Taiga Foundation and the Mezen district administration.
Komi delegation
The Mezen Day Festival is being conducted by Silver Taiga Foundation for the third year in a row under Model River Mezen Project. In the begging of 2019 Silver Taiga Foundation announced a competition of the Mezen Day 2019 projects. The territorial self-government from Kamenka village won the competition.
Kamenka village is located on the left bank of Mezen River, 40 km from the White Sea. To get Kamenka the delegation from Komi had to cover about 1000 km. There is no bridge to Kamenka across the river as the level of water here is fluctuant. The group from Komi, for example, came at the moment of a low water level and it was possible to cross the river only by big fishery boats. Local activists from Udora district of Komi came by the self-made boat just to the opening of the Festival and that was very impressively. Totally more than 300 people participated in the Festival.
Activists from Udora district of Komi
The amateur-talent groups provided entertainment for the audience for more than 2 hours. The Republic of Komi was represented by Anna Uljanova, a specialist of Komi Cultural Center. She sang Komi songs and was warmly met by the participants.
Anna Uljanova
Besides, different contests, degustation of local fish, berries and baking were held during the day. Local craftsmen sold their goods and conducted masterclasses. All the participants tasted a fresh fish soup prepared on the open fire.
Preparation of the fish soup
Goods of the local craftsmen
The most interesting part of the day was the combination of the Mezen water from different Mezen tributaries brought by the participants into one big glass bottle. This water will be kept in Kamenka museum.
Combination of the Mezen water
The location of the next Mezen Day Festival depends on the Mezen population initiatives. Silver Taiga Foundation is ready to review all the proposals and choose the most interesting one.
Photo by Sergey Davydov
